PMU Appoints Philippe Augier as its New President

Pari-Mutuel Urbain (PMU), the French sports and horse racing betting operator, has appointed Philippe Augier as the president of its board.

He replaces former Canal+ president Bertrand Méheut, who ended his tenure as PMU president in May after just over two years, in order to pursue other personal and professional projects.

Augier has served as mayor of the commune of Deauville since 2001 and has previously held a number of roles in the racing industry, such as director-general of thoroughbred auctioneer l’Agence française de vente du pur-sang between 1989 and 2006. He has also served on PMU’s board since 2019.

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PMU said Augier takes on the presidency at a crucial point in the business’ history, as it emerges from the “unprecedented” health and economic crisis caused by novel coronavirus (Covid-19). With French racing suspended and its retail network shut down, the business was forced to furlough 95% of its workforce.

“I am honoured by the confidence that PMU stakeholders, racing’s governing bodies and the public authorities have in me. The teams at PMU are of the highest quality and I look forward to working with them at a pivotal moment for the business. I am aware of the scale of the task at hand and together, we have the will, the energy and the necessary skills to carry it out successfully,” Augier said.